Members of the Vermont Zen Center, Toronto Zen Centre, and the Casa Zen in Costa Rica comprise our Buddhist community, or Sangha. Membership in all our Centers is open to everyone regardless of age, race, national origin, creed, sex, or sexual orientation.

The Vermont Zen Center is run by Sangha members who generously volunteer their time and expertise. Here are some of the people you may meet taking care of the gardens, mowing the lawn, cleaning the temple.

Pilgrimage has been part of Buddhist tradition since the time of the Buddha. Roshi Kapleau spent many months on pilgrimage, traveling throughout Southeast Asia, before settling in Japan to begin his Zen training.

About the center

The Vermont Zen Center was founded in 1988 to provide a peaceful environment for the study and practice of Zen Buddhism. The Center is dedicated to helping people overcome suffering through spiritual development and social outreach.